Asian Network for Research

Asian Network for Research

» About the Organization

About the Organization

ANARP Workshops

A good number of researchers from Australia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Mauritius, Norway, USA, Turkey and Bangladesh were supported, either fully or partially by ANRAP to attend International, Regional or National scientific meetings related to diabetes and natural product chemistry.

Our Activities

One of the main activities of ANRAP is to train up young scientists and Fellows including MS, MPhil and PhD students in the field of antidiabetic plant research. read more

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a debilitating and often life-threatening disease with one cardinal finding hyperglycemia. Maintaining consistent glycemic control is essential for delaying disease progression and preventing micro- and macrovascular complications. Unfortunately, many patients are unable to achieve and maintain their glycemic goal.World Health Organization (WHO) & International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimate that about 8.8% of world population (425m) has diabetes and is projected to be 629m by 2045. Although presently developed countries have higher number of diabetic population, the developing countries will be hardest hit by escalating diabetes epidemic primarily due to urbanization, changing food habits and less physical activities. Considering all the above facts the UN general assembly on 20 Dec 2006 passed resolution 61/225 recognizing diabetes as a chronic debilitating and costly disease associated with major complications that pose severe risks for families, countries and the entire world. The Resolution also designated 14 Nov as the world diabetes day observed by IDF since 1991, and as the UN diabetes day from 2007.

Insulin is the only remedy for type 1
diabetes. For type 2 diabetes there are
mainly two groups of medicines (Sulphonylureas and Metformins) used over the
years. Acarbose and thiazoidinediones have also been used to a limited extent.
These therapies have limited efficacy, limited tolerability and significant
mechanism-based adverse effects. Therefore, search for improved antidiabetic
drug has been continued throughout the world. Over the last several years the
incretin-based therapies (GLP and GIP, DPP-IV inhibitors) have got significant
importance although they are very much expensive. Therefore they remain far
behind the reach of the common people of the developing countries.Therefore,
there is a clear need for the development of alternative strategies for
diabetes therapy. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to involve medical professionals,
clinical and, chemical & biological scientists, and traditional healers. As
more than 80% of the population of the developing countries depend on plant
materials for their primary health care, it is imperative to scientifically
evaluate the folkloric information on plant materials used for diabetes.